Cypresses

Improved Cypress Seed

We have limited quantities of Cupressus lusitanica and Cupressus macrocarpa seed collected from Scion (formerly Forest Research) Cypress Progeny Trials. The following descriptions are taken from the Scion pamphlet "Cypress Research & Improved Planting Stock." Copies are available on request.

Cupressus Lusitanica

The 1984 Gwavas progeny trial comprises offspring from 80 parents selected in New Zealand stands, and 28 progenies from selection programmes in Kenya and Colombia. Unlike collections made from other New Zealand C.lusitanica stands, seed from the Gwavas progeny trial has a wide genetic base, resulting from the range of domestic and overseas collections and from the trial design which encourages outcrossing.

Our collections target trees with above-average growth and health from within the top 32 families within the trial.

Cupressus Macrocarpa

The 1985 Strathallan progeny trial is a complex arrangement of offspring from 76 parents selected in New Zealand stands and 76 parents from the native stand in California. The families are evaluated and ranked on an index comprising height, straightness, branch angle, crown form and resistance to cypress canker (Seiridium cardinale and S. unicornis). The index favoured canker resistance most heavily, so improvements in growth and form should be accompanied with good gains in canker resistance when seed is collected from representatives of the better families.

Our collections target trees with above-average growth, form and health from the top 30 families. However, it is important that you determine the level of canker infection in your region. While seedlots have significant improvement in resistance they are not fully resistant to canker.

Conditions apply

Scion has made this seed available on the condition that purchasers sign a contract to pay a royalty of NZ$0.04 per seedling or cutting sold. The cypress royalties are to help advance genetic improvement and better understand cypress growth, siting and effects of silvicultural practices.

More information

Articles on Scion cypress improvement programmes, courtesy "New Zealand Tree Grower" magazine:

» What's happening with cypresses at Forest Research

» Forest Research develops superior macrocarpa and lusitanica